Data Integration

Traditional approaches to the process of combining disparate data types into a cohesive, unified, organized view involve manual coding and scripting. The need for Real-Time Business Intelligence and the ability to leverage a wider variety of data sources is driving companies to embrace new ways to achieve Data Integration, including Data Virtualization, Master Data Management, and Integration Automation.

Data Integration Articles

Data analytics vendor Teradata and information management software provider Kalido have introduced a new joint solution that they say will allow customers to build or expand a data warehouse in 90 days or less, providing deeper analytics to users for improved business decision-making. This solution combines the Teradata Data Warehouse Appliance with the Kalido Information Engine, providing customers with a streamlined data consolidation tool that aggregates disparate data into a single unified platform.

Kapow Software, a provider of social media, cloud, and big data solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with Informatica Corporation to deliver Informatica PowerExchange for Kapow Katalyst. This solution harnesses the power of the web, cloud applications and social media, allowing IT and line-of-business users alike to access and extract relevant information from disparate data sources in real time. The solution will be integrated into Informatica 9.5, which is scheduled to be released at the end of June.

Idera, a provider of application management solutions for Windows and Linux, has introduced SharePoint diagnostic manager 2.7, which provides new capacity planning features enabling administrators to predict when they will need to expand or upgrade hardware in order to prevent performance issues caused by growth of SharePoint sites and content. This release also provides expanded analytics for SQL Server performance, web page health and uptime, and content usage and composition.

With the advance of big data and the corollary increasing demand for business intelligence (BI), the market is experiencing an ongoing challenge in finding and retaining skilled BI professionals, according to Simon Boardman, vice president of marketing, Eagle Creek Software Services. This problem is being further exacerbated by stricter visa rules for skilled foreign workers, notes Boardman, who spoke with DBTA during the COLLABORATE 12 conference in Las Vegas.

As a leader in pharmacy technology, National Health Systems, Inc. provides a range of services for the retail pharmacy industry. Built on a foundation of dedication and commitment to its customers and the profession of Pharmacy, NHS companies PDX, NHIN, and Rx.com provide pharmacies with the tools they need to provide the best possible patient care, manage their businesses, and enhance their competitiveness in the marketplace.

Google has announced that Google BigQuery, a web service that lets users do interactive analysis of massive data sets, is now available to the public. Billed as enabling customers to "analyze terabytes of data with just a click of a button," the company says the data is secured, replicated across data centers, and can be easily exported.

Informatica Corporation, a provider of data integration software and services, has announced the latest release of its Informatica Cloud solution. Offered as an integration platform-as-a-service (iPaaS), the latest release from Informatica features the Cloud Connector Toolkit, Cloud Integration Templates, and new enterprise features, all of which are part of the new Informatica Cloud Developer Edition and allow developers to rapidly embed end-user customizable integration logic and connectivity into cloud applications.

With the advance of big data and the corollary increasing demand for business intelligence (BI), the market is experiencing an ongoing challenge in finding and retaining skilled BI professionals, according to Simon Boardman, vice president of marketing, Eagle Creek Software Services. This problem is being further exacerbated by stricter visa rules for skilled foreign workers, notes Boardman, who spoke with 5 Minute Briefing during the COLLABORATE 12 conference in Las Vegas.

Despite IT industry talk about the need for real-time data, a new survey of more than 330 data managers and professionals who are subscribers to Database Trends and Applications reveals that access to current data to support decision making is not actually possible for many companies. At least half of companies represented in the survey indicate that relevant data still takes 24 hours or longer to reach decision makers.

Sharon Shelton, vice president of marketing at Entrinsik, showcases Hawaii Human Resources (HiHR), a company using HRPyramid and Entrinsik Informer to help provide customized HR solutions to nearly 250 clients, in a new blog post this month on the Entrinsik website. Prior to purchasing Informer, HIHR was limited to the stock reports and unable to extract the specific data needed for internal and external reporting purposes, Shelton explains. But, since deploying Informer, HiHR has created almost 200 reports, including basic census, 401K reporting, and code file listings, and the company also makes heavy use of more advanced Informer functionality, such as Live Excel.

Kore Technologies, a provider of enterprise integration, business intelligence and e-commerce web solutions for MultiValue and Microsoft SQL Server databases, is partnering with Paciolan, a provider of ticketing, marketing, and fundraising solutions, and SSB Consulting Group to create a SQL-based data warehouse solution called Paciolan Ticketing Intelligence. The new solution will provide Paciolan's clients with real-time dashboards, cross-systems reporting and direct data warehouse access to help them make data-driven business decisions.

The term "big data" refers to the massive amounts of data being generated on a daily basis by businesses and consumers alike - data which cannot be processed using conventional data analysis tools owing to its sheer size and, in many case, its unstructured nature. Convinced that such data hold the key to improved productivity and profitability, enterprise planners are searching for tools capable of processing big data, and information technology providers are scrambling to develop solutions to accommodate new big data market opportunities.

Websites such as MySpace, Facebook, and LinkedIn have brought social networking and the concept of online community to a huge cross-section of our society. Penetration and usage of these platforms may vary depending on demographic (age and geography, in particular), but no one can debate the impact of Facebook and Twitter on both everyday life and on society in general.

Open source integration software vendor Talend has released version 5.1 of its integration platform, which provides an incorporated environment that manages the entire integration lifecycle across data, application and process integration requirements. The latest release includes the first set of big data integration and quality tools and technology, an integrated solution for enterprise service bus (ESB) and business process management (BPM), as well as other improvements that enhance enterprise readiness.

InterSystems Corporation has launched the next generation of its InterSystems HealthShare strategic informatics platform for interoperability and active analytics. Designed originally for public health information exchanges (HIEs) at regional, state and national levels, HealthShare has been extended and re-architected to also deliver the advanced technologies needed by integrated delivery networks (IDNs). The new version of HealthShare addresses the need in the healthcare field to enable access to up-to-the minute information and to help users more easily gain insight from unstructured content, Dominick Bizzarro, HealthShare global business manager, InterSystems, tells 5 Minute Briefing.

Embarcadero Technologies has introduced a new version of its database management and development platform, DB Power Studio XE3, which offers enhancements to further improve the performance and availability of databases. The new release offers increased coverage across database platforms by delivering multiple feature enhancements for each product in the suite, including DB Artisan, Rapid SQL, and DB Optimizer, as well as direct access to Embarcadero's support team. In addition, DBArtisan and Rapid SQL also introduce support for Sybase IQ, which is initially available as a technical preview, Scott Walz, senior director of product management at Embarcardero, tells 5 Minute Briefing.

Plans are underway for an event specifically focused on Sybase PowerBuilder and tools that will be separate from TechEd but held at the same time and location, according to Christine Weber, marketing manager, Events, at Sybase, an SAP company. There will also be close to 100 hours of sessions specifically focused on Sybase database and analytics products at SAP TechEd 2012, Weber tells 5 Minute Briefing. "It is a good portion and it is focused on the traditional kind of content that we have always done with Sybase." Sybase-specific content will include tips and tricks on how to use existing products, as well as previews of what's ahead in new product releases. Now that the call for papers has closed, Sybase is going through its approval process for the presentations. Well over 200 presentations were submitted - "a good problem to have," Weber notes.

SAP AG has announced a range of innovations. The announcements put heavy emphasis on SAP HANA, and focus on three main areas, David Jonker, director of product marketing - Data Management & Analytics, SAP, tells 5 Minute Briefing. One is working with customers to accelerate their existing investment in the SAP landscape, a second emphasis is big data and analytics, and the third is around sparking new innovation by working with customers, partners and startups to leverage real-time analytics to rethink how business gets done.

Hadapt, which provides a big data platform for natively integrating Apache Hadoop and a relational DBMS, and Cloudera, a provider of Apache Hadoop-based data management software, services and training, have announced the integration of Hadapt's Adaptive Analytical Platform with Cloudera Manager and Cloudera's Distribution Including Apache Hadoop (CDH).

SAP applications are now certified for use with the Oracle SPARC SuperCluster T4-4. SAP infrastructure and applications based on the SAP NetWeaver technology platform 6.4 and above and certified with Oracle Database 11g Release 2, such as the SAP ERP application and SAP NetWeaver Business Warehouse, can now be deployed using the SPARC SuperCluster T4-4.

At COLLABORATE 12, GSI, Inc., an Oracle Gold partner specializing in upgrades, rolled out its new proposition for users upgrading to Oracle JD Edwards current releases. The upgrade program applies to a variety of software releases dating back to 2000 and will enable users to continue to receive ongoing support and regain compliance while taking advantage of the latest features and enhancements built into the 9.x software. Once a project is engaged, GSI's new program seeks "100% satisfaction guaranteed" and the completion of the upgrade within 100 days.

Organizations are struggling with big data, which they define as any large-size data store that becomes unmanageable by standard technologies or methods, according to a new survey of 264 data managers and professionals who are subscribers to Database Trends and Applications. The survey was conducted by Unisphere Research, a division of Information Today, Inc., in partnership with MarkLogic in January 2012. Among the key findings uncovered by the survey is the fact that unstructured data is on the rise, and ready to engulf current data management systems. Added to that concern, say respondents, is their belief that management does not understand the challenge that is looming, and is failing to recognize the significance of unstructured data assets to the business.

Oversight Systems plans to introduce new solutions at the upcoming SAPPHIRE NOW and ASUG Annual Conference, including predictive analytics capabilities in support of the SAP HANA platform and a new mobile application. "SAP HANA and the maturity of mobile platforms are a really exciting combination for our customers. The time is now for better, faster, smarter decisions, with software delivering real-time insights rather than forcing managers to learn analytics or wade through yet another layer of reports. By working with SAP, we're helping to bring this vision to market," says Patrick Taylor, CEO of Oversight Systems.

PK, a software firm based in The Netherlands, has been recognized with the InterSystems Award for Breakthrough Applications. PK, an InterSystems application partner, was recognized for its CU-BOX mobile application for real-time emergency services response measurement. CU-BOX uses the InterSystems CACHÉ high-performance database system and InterSystems Ensemble rapid integration and development platform to provide critical, objective information about the quality of emergency healthcare delivery.

Information access provider Attivio has partnered with QlikTech to provide self-service BI and access to structured and unstructured information sources throughout the enterprise. With the merging of Attivio's Active Intelligence Engine (AIE) and QlikTech's QlikView Business Discovery platforms, the companies aim to allow for enhanced business insights and better decision making by enabling users to access, manage and interact with any type of information, regardless of source or format.

TIBCO Software Inc., a provider of infrastructure software on-premise and in the cloud, has announced the latest version of its analytics platform: Spotfire 4.5. This new release will feature visualization-based data discovery and collaboration capabilities for all types of extreme information, including big data. Additionally, Spotfire 4.5 will provide greater data exploration and new predictive analytics capabilities of both structured data and unstructured content, as well as iPad compatibility that allows users to construct "private-branded" Spotfire Analytics solutions. Together, these capabilities are intended to offer organizations the ability to leverage all of their data to better discover and predict business outcomes that can be delivered to a larger population.

IBM has announced plans to acquire Tealeaf Technology, Inc., a provider of customer experience analytics software that helps organizations react more quickly to consumer trends. With this agreement, IBM says it will support its Smarter Commerce initiative with the acquisition of qualitative analytics capabilities that provide CMOs, e-commerce, and customer service professionals with real-time and automated insights into customer buying experiences across online and mobile devices.

The Oracle Applications Users Group (OAUG), will co-host the OAUG Connection Point - Release 12.1/Fusion Applications conference, in partnership with the South Texas Oracle Applications Users Group (STOAUG) and the OAUG Upgrade SIG, July 11-12 at the Omni Austin Hotel Downtown in Austin, Tex. The call for presentations for the event is open through May 10.

Open source business analytics provider Pentaho has released Pentaho Business Analytics 4.5, providing customers with new user-driven, interactive visualizations as well as expanded analytics capabilities that can access all sources of data. The product merges data integration with business analytics in one platform. The combination of data integration and business analytics, "allows the relationship between line-of-business and IT to come closer together," Donna Prlich, director of product and solutions marketing at Pentaho, tells 5 Minute Briefing.

Oracle addressed the need to make IT infrastructure and business analytics technologies simpler and more efficient in a presentation to OpenWorld Tokyo 2012 attendees that was also made available via live webcast. In addition to presenting its strategy and plans for business analytics, the company also unveiled new additions to its product portfolio. In his keynote address, Oracle president Mark Hurd explained how the business users of tomorrow will require faster and more comprehensive information access. "The true question with analytics is how to get the right information to the right person at the right time to make the right decision," he said.

IBM has introduced DB2 10 and InfoSphere Warehouse 10 software that integrates with big data systems, automatically compresses data into tighter spaces to prevent storage sprawl, and slices information from the past, present, and future to eliminate expensive application code. Over the past 4 years, more than 100 clients, 200 business partners, and hundreds of experts from IBM Research and Software Development Labs around the world collaborated to develop the new software.

MapR Technologies, Inc., provider of the MapR distribution for Apache Hadoop, has introduced new data connection options for Hadoop to enable a range of data ingress and egress alternatives for customers. These include direct file-based access using standard tools and file-based applications, direct database connectivity, Hadoop specific connectors via Sqoop, Flume and Hive; as well as direct access to popular data warehouses and applications using custom connectors. Additionally, technology providers Pentaho and Talend are partnering with MapR to provide direct integration with MapR's distribution, and MapR has also entered into a partnership with data warehouse and business intelligence platform vendor Tableau Software.

Helping customers manage the influx of mobile devices, networks and applications in the enterprise, SAP has unveiled a new release of the Afaria mobile device management solution. With the 7.0 release of Afaria, SAP aims to allow enterprise IT to more effectively manage mobile applications and devices through a new user interface (UI) for simplified administration, improved workflow and enterprise integration capabilities. "The consumerization of IT is driving our innovation path and commitment to providing customers with the industry's most comprehensive, robust and streamlined mobility management platform, including mobile device management," says Sanjay Poonen, president, Global Solutions, SAP.

Oracle has announced a major new release of JD Edwards EnterpriseOne, an integrated applications suite of enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. Enhancements in the 9.1 release focus on three main areas - usability and productivity, deeper industry-specific functionality, and greater support for global operations and compliance, Bob Monahan, senior director of product strategy and product management of JD Edwards, Oracle, tells 5 Minute Briefing.

SAP unveiled its roadmap for the database and mobile markets. At a press conference in San Francisco that was also made available online, Dr. Vishal Sikka, a member of the SAP executive Board, Technology & Innovation, said the company's vision for the SAP real-time data platform includes the SAP HANA platform, Sybase data management offerings, and SAP solutions for enterprise information management (EIM). "In our minds, and in our customers' minds there is now absolutely no doubt that HANA represents the database architecture for the future, for OLTP and OLAP, for analyzing structured and unstructured data, for legacy applications and for new applications," Sikka told the audience.

In a move intended to drive innovation in mobile solutions, SAP announced plans to acquire Syclo, a provider of enterprise mobile applications and technologies. The addition of Syclo's expertise in building and selling mobile solutions in industries such as utilities, oil & gas, life sciences and manufacturing is expected to enhance SAP mobile solutions. It is also expected to help accelerate the adoption and deployment of new mobile asset management and field service solutions on the Sybase Unwired Platform, part of the SAP mobile platform and the company's infrastructure for developing and managing mobile apps.

Pitney Bowes Software, a provider of customer data, analytics and communications management solutions, has released Portrait Explorer, a solution to enable business users deploy big data analytics. The tool organizes otherwise complex customer data stores into an intuitive library of "customer cards" that the company claims is as easy to navigate and operate as one's digital photo album. "The look and feel is immediately intuitive because it looks and feels just like your digital photo album," Jeff Nicholson, vice president of global marketing for Pitney Bowes, tells 5 Minute Briefing.

IBM today announced a definitive agreement to acquire Varicent Software, a provider of analytics software for compensation and sales performance management. Varicent is a privately held company, with headquarters in Toronto, Canada. Financial terms of the acquisition, which is expected to close in the second quarter of 2012, were not disclosed. "Varicent expands IBM's analytics portfolio into the sales function of organizations," Paul Hill, vice president, Performance Management, Business Analytics, IBM, tells 5 Minute Briefing. "It is a line-of-business play."